Slider for fasteners



Dec. l, 1936. R. c. LEGAT SLIDER FOR FASTENERS y2 sheets-sheet" Filed April 8,Y 1936 Dec. 1, 1936. R. c. LEGAT SLIDER Fon FAsTENERs 2 Sheets-sheet 2 Filed April s, 1936 llululul fria/'eww fifi xga?? q@ (Ma-1%.*

Patented Dec. 1,

` UNITED STATES PATENT ori-ice suman For, FAsTENEns Robert c. negar, New Britain, conn., mignonw G. E. Prentice Manufacturing Company, New Britain, Coiin., a corporation of Connecticut Application April 8, 1936, Serial No. '13,212

Claims. .(Cl- 24T-205) This invention pertains to slide actuated fastenersand more especially to an improved slider for such fasteners and to gravity-actuated locking means for preventing or resisting unin- 5 tentional movement of 'the slider longitudinally devices the pull tab is furnished with a transverse enlargement or cam adjacent to its point of pivotal support and in order to insure a` secure locking effect itis recommended to apply pressure toh the -pull tab. so as positively to swing the lower end of the tab rearwardly and past'the vertical plane.

While the devices of the aforementioned patents are highly desirable and eil'ective for the '25 purpose, the present invention represents an improvement over such prior devices in that it provides for effective locking in a wholly automatic does not injure or harmfully displace the fastener units. l

In the preferred construction herein illustrated, -the locking means is of double, acting type, that is to say, it is effective for locking, whether the slider be applied insuch a way as to close the fastener by upward or downward movement respectively,although in its broader aspects it is f not essential that the locking means be of double -acting type. In the accompanying drawings,l wherein a desirable embodiment 'of the invention is illustrated by way of examp1e,

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary front Eelevation of a slide actuated fastener having opposed series of interlocking fastener units mounted upon exible supports or stringers and provided with a slider, arranged to close the fastener by upward movement of the slider, embodyingthe present invention; f Fig. 2isaview similartoFig. Lbutwiththe partsarranged for closing the fastener by downward movement of the slider;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the improved slider removed from'the fastener; Fig. 4 is a rear elevation of the slider of Fig. 3; 5 Figi 5 is an edge elevation', partly in vertical section and to larger scale, of the slider of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a blank useful in forming the improved slider;

Fig. 7 is a large scale side elevation of the im- 10 proved locking element;`

Fig. 81s a plan view, to locking element;

Fig. 9 is a rear elevation of the locking elesmaller scale, of the ment to the same scale as Fig. s; is

Fig. 10 is a vertical section, with parts broken away, showing the improved slider as arranged to close the fastener by upward slider movement- Aand showing thev locking element in non-locking position with the pull tab `positioned for moving 20 the slider longitudinally;

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 9 showing the pull tab depending in substantially parallel relation to the front wing of the slider and showing the locking element in operative engagement with `2|; one of the fastener units;

Fig. 12 is a view similar'to Fig. 11, but with the slider arranged for closing the fastener by downward slider movement;

Fig. 13 is a front elevation of the pull tab,- re- 30 moved from the slider; and .l

Fig. 14 is a section on the line Il-ll of Fig. 13.

Referring to the drawings,the numerals I and 2 indicate respectively two flexible supports or vstringers carrying 'series of fastener Velements 3 35 and 4, respectively, such elements being of any usual type but preferably of the kind disclosed in the patent to Prentice No.- 2,029,585, 'dated February 4, 1936. The stringers l and 2 are furnished with top end-stops 5 and 6, respectively, 40 and at the lower end of the fastener is a bottom stop 'I which may or may not be of the separable type', according to the use to which the fastener is to be put. The actuating slider 8 comprises the front wing 9 and the rear wing I0 united at their 45 upper ends by a connecting portion Il (Fig. 5) the wings being spaced apart to provide proper channels for the -passage of the edges of the stringers with the fastener umts mounted thereon. One or both of the wings of theslider is 50 furnished with lateral ilanges such as the flanges I3 and Il (Fig. 5) for engagement with the outer or remote ends of the fastener units and to define the outer margins ,of thechannels in which the Series of fastener umts are received. These 55 surface of the rear win'g, thereby not only performing the function of a divider but also imparting substantial stiffness and rigidity to the slider.

Preferably the front and rear wings andthe A neck portion are formed as an integral piece from sheet material,-a blank of appropriate shape for the purpose being illustrated in Fig. 6. 'I'his blank comprises the front wing portion 9* and the rear wing portion I Ila integrally joined by the neck portion I I, 'I'he part 9 is furnished with an opening I5EL and the part IIJu with an opening I5 Vdesigned for the-passage of the rivet I5. 'I'he front wing member 9 is also furnished with a pair of openings I6 and I 1, elongate longitudinally of the wing and spaced symmetrically at oppositel sides of its longitudinalaxis and separated by a portion of the'metal of the front wing which forms a bridge member 9X. These openings or windows I6 and I1 are designed to receive,.re spectively, spaced parts of the: locking element I8 illustrated more particularly in Figs.` '1 to 9 inclusive. This locking element I8 is conveniently formed from sheet material and is substantially U-shaped in transverse section, having the substantially parallel leg portions I9. and integrally joined by the transverse portion 2 I. Each of the leg portions is terminated by substantiallyparallel top and bottom end surfaces 22 and 23, respectively, and is of a length and thickness such that it may be received in one of the respective openings I6 or I1 of the front wing, and to iit loosely within such opening. The leg I9 is terminated by the inclined convergent cam surfaces 24 and 25 which meet at the point- 26 which forms -the apex of a triangular locking cusp or tooth, it

being noted that the slope of the cam surface 25 is steeper than that of the cam surface 24.

The free end or edge of the leg member 20 is likewise furnished with convergent cam surfaces 24* and 25a, respectively, meeting at the point 26' to form a locking cusp or tooth similar to that of the leg I9it being noted, however, that the more steeply inclined cam surface 25* of -leg 281s opposite to the less steeply inclined cam 'surface 24 of the leg I9. The apices 26 and 26* of the two locking cusps are spaced apart longitudil nally of the lockingelement a distance substantially equal to the thickness (longitudinally of the slider) ofone of the fastener units.

The `rivet I5 preferably is provided with a stiff and preferably substantially rigid tab-supporting portion 21 which overlies the front-face of the frontwing 9-and which, as here illustrated, terminates at the point 28 somewhat above the lower end of the front wing. If desired, this tab-supporting portion 21 may extend down substantially to the lower end of the wing and maybe anchoredat its lower end by means similar to that shown in the patent to Legat No. 1,919,662, wherein a some-- whatsimilar tab-supporting element is illustrated. 'I'he supporting element .21 is furnished with a recess 29 in its inner edge, such recess being open toward the front surface of the front wing and being adapted` to receive the pivot member 59 of the pull tab 3|. VThis pull tab 3l (Figs. 13 and\ 14) is conveniently formed from sheet material of substantially uniform thickness and is provided wi'th an elongate opening I2 for the reception ofthe hook-like end portion of the Sup- 2,082,791 channels are separated at the upper part of the bott'om thickness of the pivot (Fig. 14) is less than 5 the thickness of the sheet material from which the tab is made. This pull tab is preferably assembled with the support 21 by slipping the end 28A of the support through the opening `82 and moving the tab until the pivot member 39 is dis- 10 posed in the recess 29 in which position the pivot member 30 overlies the'transverse portion 2| of the locking element I8, which has been positioned to 'straddle the bridge member:9X with its legs I9 and 20 disposed in the vwindows I6 and I1, re- 15 spectively.A The rivet I5 is now set and .headed over at I1, thus permanently retaining the tab and the locking element in assembled relation to the slider body. While this mode'of assembly is preferred, it is possible first to set the rivet and 20 head it over at its rear end and then by bending the tab-supporting portion 21 to assemble the locking element and tab Vin proper position.

Having assembled the parts in one or another of the ways mentioned, and having assembled 25 the slider with the stringers, the slider may be moved longitudinally of the fastener for opening or closing the fastener by swinging the tab out substantially'tothe position illustrated in Fig. 10. In,.this position the pivot member 30 30 is disposed with its longer dimension vertically and the locking element I8 is free to move forwardly `to a slight extent, but suilicient so that its triangular cusps substantially clear the forward edges of the fastener units., Such forward movement of the fastener element for clearing the units is facilitated by the long cam slopes 24 and 24, respectively, (according to the direction in whichlthe slider is moved) such long slopes riding along the surfaces of the units with ai 40 smooth action and causing the locking element to move forward as is permitted by the pivot member 30 when the tab is disposed in the actuating position.

However, when the slider has been moved to ,nie desired position of adjustment and the tab is released, the tab tends, under the action of gravity, to swing down into a position wherein it is substantially parallel to the front face of the front wing, as illustrated in Figs. 11 andj 12, 50

accordingly as the fastener is arranged as shown in Figs. 1 or 2, respectively. In so moving, the thicker dimension of the pivot member 30 is caused to lie horizontally. The dimensions of the pivot 39 and the recess 29 arelso chosen that '55 when the tab occupies this position, the locking member I8 is held inwardly with its triangular locking cusps 'disposed betweenadjacent units of the series. When thus entered between adjacent units, if force be applied to move the 60 slider downwardly (Fig. 11) the steeper cam surface 25 engages one of the units, for example the unit 3'". and effectively prevents movement of the slider in this direction. Since the surface 25 is inclined to the direction of slider move- 65 ment, it operates' as a cam to ,move the slider slightly, under the im g force exerted by the downwardly swinging tab so that the entry of the cusp between adjacent units is facilitated and made certain, whereas if the surface 25 70 were perpendicular to the direction of slider movement, some dlfliculty might be experienced 'in causing'the cusp or tooth 'to be brought into proper registry with the space between adjacent umts. By making the surfaces 24 and 24* with 75 a relatively long and gentle slope, the locking element may be moved freely along the fastener whenthe pull tab is in the horizontal position of Fig. 9.

This locking device as illustrated is designed to lock the slider whether the yslider be mounted on the fastener to close the fastener by upward or Ydownwardmovement, for since the locking element I8 is symmetrically constructed, one of its legs I9 -'or 20, respectively, is adapted to function as a locking' device whenever th`e pull tab lies parallel `to the front `wing of the slider, as

shown in Figs. 11 and 12, by way of comparison.

While it is preferred toemploy a locking device of symmetrical type, adapted for locking in either direction, it iscontemplated that the locking device may be made so` as to lock in one direction only, for example by placing the steep cam slopes 25 and 25 at the same end of the locking element rather than at opposite ends,l or by providing but one locking cusp.

'I'he slider thus constructed is very free to move up and down, and thus to perform its intended function when the pull tab is disposed horizontally, but effectively prevents unintentional movement of the slider whenever the tab is released, and.. it is not necessary to -push the pull tab rearwardly of the vertical plane in order to obtain the desired locking action, since the tab drops down into the vertical position Aunder the action of gravity without 'any special" manipulation by the operator. It is further to be noted that no springs are required and that the locking eect, a's well as' the proper manipulation of the slider, is obtained by the use of but two moving parts, to wit, the locking member I8 .Y and the very simple pull tab 3|.

While I have herein illustrated one desirable embodiment of the invention by way of example,

it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited to the speciiic details herein illustrated nor to any particular materials nor to exact dimensions, eircept suchrelative dimensions as may be necessary to obtain the locking effect.

I claim:

1. A'slider for slide actuated fasteners, said slider comprising spaced substantially parallel front and rear wings united by a neck portion, a pull tab support carried by the slider, said' support including a part which extends longitudinally of the front wing closely adjacent to the outer surface .of the dattensand which has a bearing recess open toward the front face of said wing, a pull tab of substantially uniforml thickness, said pull tab having a pivot portion disposedin the bearing recess of the support, the pivot portion being ofsubstantially the full transverse thickness of the material of the tab but being of 'a lesser thickness longitudinally of the tab, the slider comprising a movable locking element which is held in locking position by said pivot portion ofthe tab when the tab swings downwardly into a position such that it is disposed substantially parallel to the front wing of the slider in response tothe action of gravity.

`2.. A slider for slide actuated fasteners, saidl slider comprising front and rear wings, the front .wing having provision for the receptien of a relatively movable lockin'g element, a locking element associated with the front wing, a pull tab support carried` by the slider, said support including a part Aextending longitudinally of the frontwing and having a bearing recess open toward the front face of the front wing, and a pull tab of sheet locking element directed inwardly toward the in- `being of less thickness longitudinally `of thetab, .5

the pivot portion of the tabzbeingso disposed relatively to the locking element as' to hold the latter in operative positionf'when the tab .is permitted to drop,under the` action of gravity, intoa position such that itis disposed substantially 10 parallel to kthe front wing of. the slider. l

3. A' slider for slide actuated fasteners, said slider comprising front and 'rear- Wings, the front wing having a pair of spaced apertures arranged at opposite sides', respectively, ofthelongitudinal 15 axis of the wing, a 'locking element`comprising spaced parts which extend inwardly through the respective 'openings and a transverse portion disposed at the outer side of the front wing, a pulltab support carried by the slider,` said support 20 including' a part disposed forwardly of the front wing and substantially midway between vsaid apertures,` said part having a recess open toward the front `surface of the front Wing, and. a pull tab comprising a pivot portion disposed in said recess 25 forwardly of the transverse portion of the locking element. said pivot-portion beingv of such transverse thickness that, when the tab isv allowed to drop until it is substantially parallel to the front wing, it bears both against thetransverse portion of the locking element and against the forward wall of the recess thereby to hold the locking element in locking position, said pivot portion being of lesser thickness longitudinally of the tab so thatwhen the tab is disposed substantially per- 35 pendicular to the frontlwing the locking element is free to move forwardly from locking position. 4. A slider forslide actuated fasteners. said slider comprising front and rear wings, the front wing havingvan aperture therethrough, a locking 40 element comprising a portion which extends inwardly through said aperture and a part which. overlies the front face of the front wing, a pull tab support carried by the slider, said'support including a part disposed forwardly of the front 45 wing and which bridges said transverse part of the locking elementy and which has a recess open toward the front Wing, and a pull tab of sheet material comprising aA pivot ydisposed in said recess, said pivot being of a transverse thicknessisubstantially equaling that of the material-of the tab but being of less thickness longitudinally of the tab, said pivot being arranged to contact the transverse portion of the locking element, the parts beingA so dimensioned and arranged that when the pull tab is allowedto fall so.that it hangs substantially parallel to the front wing, the pivot holds the locking element in operative position and when the tab is perpendicular to the front face of the front wing the locking element is free to move out-of lockingl position.

5. A slider for slide actuated fasteners, said slider comprising spaced front and rear wings, one of said wings having 'a pair of apertures therethrough separated by a bridge piece, a locking element of substantially U-shape in section comprising a transverse portion and substantially parallel legs, said locking element straddling said bridge piece with the free ends of the legs of the terior of the slider, a pull tab and tab-supporting means carried by the slider, the pull tab comprising a movement-limiting part which is always' disposed inwardly of the transverse portion' of thev locking element and which is engageable with the latter to hold the locking element in locking position.

6. A slider for slide actuated fasteners, said slider comprising spaced front and rear wings, oneof said wings having a pair of apertures therethrough separated by a bridge piece, a locking element substantially U-shape in transverse section comprising a transverse portion and substantially parallel spaced legs, each leg being elongate longitudinally of the slider, each leg of the locking element having` a locking cusp at its free end, said locking element straddling the bridge piece of the front wing with its legs pro'- jecting rearwardly through the respective apertures, a pull tab support, and a pull tab carried by the support, vsaid tab being provided with a part which is always disposed forwardly of the transverse portion of the locking element and which is operative by engagement with said trans- 'verse portion to limit forward movement of the locking element. A

7. A slider for slide actuated fasteners, said slider comprising spaced front and rear wings,

one of said wings having .a pair of apertures therethrough separated by a bridge piece, a locking element 'of -substantially U-shape in transverse section, said locking element consisting of sheet metal and comprising spaced parallel legs united, by atransverse portion,l the free end of each leg being shaped to form a triangular locking cusp, said locking element straddling the bridge piece with its legs extending rearwardly through. the apertures in the wing, and a pull tab and tab-Supporting means carried by the slider, the pull-tab comprising a part engageable with the transverse portion of the locking element to hold the latter in locking position.

8. A slider for slide actuated fasteners, said slider comprising spaced frontand rear wings, one of said wings having a pair of apertures therethrough separated by a bridge piece, a locking element of substantially U-shape in transverse section. said element comprising spaced,

substantially parallel legs, the free end of each leg comprising inclined convergent cam surfaces, one of the cam surfaces at the end of each leg having a steeper slope than the other cam surface, said locking element straddling the bridge piecewith its legs projecting rearwardly through the openings in the front wing, a pull tab, tab-supporting means carried by the slider, and a part carried by the pull tab and vengageable with said transverse portion of the locking element to hold the latter in locking position.

9. A slider for slide actuated fasteners, said cam surface of steeper slope of one leg being opposite yto the cam surface of lesser slope of the other leg, and means for pressing said locking element rearwardly, thereby to engage its locking cusps with the fastener elements.

10. A slider for slide actuated fasteners, said slider comprising spaced front and rear`wings,

vone of said wings having a pair of apertures therethrough separated by a bridge piece, a locking element of' substantially U-shape in trans verse section, said element comprisingl spaced,

substantially parallel legs, the free endy of each of said legs comprising inclined convergent cam surfaces meeting at an angleto'form a locking cusp, the apices of the locking cusps of the two legs being disposed respectively in transverseplanes which are substantially one fastener unit apart, and means carried by the slider for actuating the locking element.

ROBERT C. LEGAT. 

